National retailer Argos has reported a surge in traditional, antique style jewellery following The Crown Season 2 being broadcasted on Netflix. In particular, sales of coloured gemstones have more than doubled, while ornate lockets have leapt by 150% – far above the expected seasonal uplift for jewellery in winter. The frenzy for jewels with old-fashioned…
2016 PROFESSIONAL JEWELLER HOT 100 BUSINESS BIG SHOTS
Business Big Shots are defined as the individuals and teams that are “shaping the UK jewellery industry”. They command the respect of the entire business community for their leadership, innovation, vision and delivery of outstanding results. This year’s Professional Jeweller Business Big Shots are: Joanne Milner, Garrard Peter Anderson, Pandora Helen Haddow, Houlden Craig Bolton, Goldsmiths Helen…
HOT 100 BUSINESS BIG SHOTS: Sarah Filippardos, Head of Trading – Jewellery & Watches, Argos
Jewellery and watches are an incredibly important part of high street stalwart Argos’ wider business plan given that it now boasts specialist ‘shop in shops’ in most of its 850 stores. So there is little doubt what’s been keeping Sarah Filippardos occupied since she hooked up with the well-known retail giant at the end of…
Sainsbury’s offers £1.3bn for Argos
Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has offered £1.3bn to win control of Argos owner Home Retail Group. The Boards of J Sainsbury and Home Retail Group have announced that they have reached agreement on the key financial terms of a possible offer for Home Retail Group by Sainsbury’s. After being rejected last year, Sainbury’s has now offered…
BCU first year’s jewellery collection selected for Argos
First year School of Jewellery student Danielle Laurent has had her jewellery collection Wishes chosen to go on sale exclusively at Argos. Laurent beat off competition from 50 other students to design an exclusive collection on behalf of Argos. For the second year running, the Argos jewellery team have challenged first year students studying for…
HOT 100 2015 BUSINESS BIG SHOTS: Stephanie Wilkes and Clair Albone
“As Argos moves towards being a digitally led business, my job is to ensure our website is both inspirational and browse-able for jewellery,” explains Stephanie. In fact, Argos is knee deep in its digital transformation plan, which will see its trademark catalogue become a tool for encouraging web sales. As Stephanie explains: “The catalogue has…
Study claims House of Fraser is most prepared for Christmas
House of Fraser is the UK’s most prepared department store online, ahead of the Christmas shopping period, according to a study by commerce agency Ampersand. Its flexible fulfilment options, including same day delivery in London and Birmingham, locker collection services and free standard delivery – key features for consumers during the gift buying season –…
Public vote to decide Collections of the Year 2015 winners
The Collections of the Year 2015 winners will be decided by a public vote that will go live on the Professional Jeweller website Monday morning. Nominations for Collections of the Year closed last Friday, and since then the editorial team at Professional Jeweller have whittled down the record number of entries to just the 10…
Home Retail Group raises £1m for Macmillan
Owner of Argos, Homebase and Habitat, Home Retail Group, has reached the first £1 million milestone for Macmillan Cancer Support, since the launch of its two year partnership in March this year. The money will fund 42,814 hours of vital Macmillan nursing care for people affected by cancer, helping the charity to ensure that no…
Top jewellery buyers to select Collections of the Year shortlist
For the first time since the Professional Jeweller Collections of the Year initiative began, a panel of expert buyers from the UK jewellery industry will help the editorial team shortlist the nominations. Nominations for Collections of the Year closed on Friday, and the editorial team at Professional Jeweller will make an initial edit, whittling down…
